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Conor McGregor’s Latest Fitness Craze Makes A Splash In Monaco
Conor McGregor’s Latest Fitness Craze Makes A Splash In Monaco

The self-titled “face of the fight game” and candidate for fittest man in the Emerald Isles, Conor McGregor consistently makes headlines for his outspoken antics, luxurious lifestyle and incredible athletic abilities.

Since hanging up his gloves earlier in June – although who knows how long he’ll actually stay ‘retired’  – McGregor’s been enjoying the finer things in life, like calorie-rich full Irish breakfasts and jetskiing while wearing expensive Rolexes.

However, his latest aquatic antics prove that despite being out of the octagon he’s got no plans to stay out of the spotlight.

McGregor took to Instagram to post some choice shots of him rubbing shoulders with royalty, racing ‘water bikes’ with Princess Charlene of Monaco in the luxurious principality over the weekend.

 

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Princess Charlene is an accomplished athlete in her own right, having represented South Africa in the women’s 4×100m medley at the 2000 Sydney Olympics before her marriage to Prince Albert II of Monaco in 2011.

“A phenomenal athlete and Olympian, we are teaming up for a 180km voyage in September to raise awareness [for] water safety,” McGregor shared.

Launched in 2012, the primary objective of The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation is to save lives by putting an end to drowning through raising public awareness about the dangers of water, teaching children preventive measures, and teaching them to swim.

McGregor partnering with the foundation is yet another example of the bolshy Irishman’s charitable side. McGregor’s also donated PPE as well as millions of euros to Irish hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nicely done, ‘Notorious’.

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The post Conor McGregor's Latest Fitness Craze Makes A Splash In Monaco appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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New COVID Vaccine Study Sparks Immune Response With ‘Promise’
New COVID Vaccine Study Sparks Immune Response With ‘Promise’

Since March, epidemiologists and scientists of all stripes have been racing to find or develop a vaccine for COVID-19, the disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Whatever you call it – coronavirus, COVID, The Pandemic, The Bat Kiss – this virus constitutes one of the most devastating threats to human life in recent memory, and with cases continuing to climb in countries like the US, Brazil and India, the need for a conclusive cure has never been stronger.

Here in Australia, we've been spared from the levels of social disruption and devastation observed in many other countries, but we're not out the woods just yet. Victoria has gone into a second lockdown, with NSW tipped to follow suit. Borders are still closed and things are still pretty grim.

The medical community's been working around the clock to find a vaccine for COVID-19, and we're finally starting to see some decent progress. Reports this morning detail how a leading vaccine candidate developed by Oxford University researchers has seen promising results, potentially paving the way for a full-blown COVID vaccine down the track.

Called ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, the vaccine is being co-developed by Oxford Vaccine Group, the Jenner Institute and British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. Human trials started in April, and the team published early results from their phase 1 and still-ongoing phase 2 trials earlier today in the widely-respected medical journal The Lancet.

More than 150 possible vaccines are in various stages of development, including high-profile efforts from American pharma giant Pfizer and China’s CanSino Biologics who also reported positive responses for their candidates on Monday, Reuters reports.

While China's trial has also produced good results, the British trial will be the first to progress to phase 3 trials, which are necessary in order to confirm whether the vaccine candidate effectively protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Phase 3 studies will entail randomized, controlled, multicenter trials on even large patient groups and are aimed at being the definitive assessment of how effective the vaccine is. Drugs need to go multiple successful phase 3 trials in order to get approval from regulatory agencies like the TGA in Australia or the FDA in the States.

Still, the fact that these vaccine candidates have progressed so quickly is good news for everyone. Normally it can take months or even years to develop vaccines. The clear and pressing need to combat The Pandemic has clearly motivated researchers (as well as the dollar factor: whoever develops the first effective vaccine stands to potentially make a lot of money).

Fingers crossed phase 3 goes well.

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The post New COVID Vaccine Study Sparks Immune Response With ‘Promise’ appeared first on DMARGE.

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US Tourists Banned From One Of Their Favourite Places On Earth
US Tourists Banned From One Of Their Favourite Places On Earth

The US has a complicated relationship with The Bahamas. As well as pristine white sand and shimmering blue waters, it’s also a place of offshore bank accounts.

As such, there’s more to this Caribbean island nation than Bahama Mama cocktails and scuba diving nirvana: it’s the playground of the rich and famous after all.

A 10-hour plunge from LAX, The Bahamas is popular with regular US tourists too. Unfortunately, for the immediate future, with confirmed Virus cases continuing to skyrocket (the US recently broke its own daily record nine times in a month), unless you own a private jet, Americans’ hopes of escaping to The Bahamas has just been scuppered.

 

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The Bahamian government has vetoed travelers from the US and other countries where coronavirus cases are exploding to prevent further spread of the virus.

In a national TV broadcast on Sunday, Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said all international commercial flights would be banned from entering The Bahamas, effective Wednesday, July 22 (tomorrow), with the only exemptions being visitors from the United Kingdom, European Union and Canada who have tested negative.

“Our current situation demands decisive action if we are to avoid being overrun and being defeated by this virus.”

Bahamas has recently confirmed 15 new cases for a total of 153 cases in the country, 49 of which have been identified since the country reopened its borders on July the 1st.

As CNN Travel reports, the ban comes with another exemption: “Sea vessels carrying commercial passengers will also not be permitted to enter. However, private international flights, charters and yachts from all countries will be allowed.”

In light of the new approach, Bahamas’ national airline Bahamasair will stop flying to the US and a number of beaches and parks have been closed until further notice, Prime Minister Minnis added.

 

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The US aspect of this tourist ban is particularly significant – and proves how seriously The Bahamas is taking The Pandemic. Why? Some 50% of the nation’s GDP of $5.7 billion comes from tourism, with most of the 5.5 million tourists who visit The Bahamas each year (in normal times) coming from the US.

But with cases across the pond surging, the decision reflects long term thinking that could prove vital in the long run. As Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said: “The better we are at this, the more our economy could open up and people could make a living.”

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The post US Tourists Banned From One Of Their Favourite Places On Earth appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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McLaren F1 Driver Spotted Dismantling His Car Whilst Casually Wearing $300,000 Watch
McLaren F1 Driver Spotted Dismantling His Car Whilst Casually Wearing $300,000 Watch

The 2020 Formula 1 season is shaping up to be one of the most unique in recent history.

The two biggest global news stories have left their mark on F1: The Pandemic has seen seven of its rounds canceled (including the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne), with many future rounds either postponed or up in the air. The Black Lives Matter movement has also left its mark: spearheaded by Lewis Hamilton, many drivers have taken a knee before races and spoken out about racism, both within the sport and more broadly.

But one of the other unique features of the season is how young the field is.

The 2020 F1 season driver lineup is one of the most youthful ever, with eight drivers under the age of 25 helming these insane cars: Charles LeClerc for Ferrari, Lance Stroll for Racing Point, Pierre Gasly for AlphaTauri, Esteban Ocon for Renault, George Russell for Williams, Max Verstappen and Alexander Albon for Red Bull… The youngest driver on the grid and one of the youngest in F1 history is McLaren driver Lando Norris, who’s only 20 years old.

These young guns represent a changing of the guard – their youth naturally infuses a different energy and attitude within the sport. This is best exemplified by Norris, whose most recent antics underscore this paradigm shift in F1 (as well as highlights his impeccable taste in timepieces).

After coming 8th in the Hungarian Grand Prix last week, the young Norris was spotted lending his McLaren teammates an extra hand stripping his car, getting hands-on with a ratchet under the vehicle. This moment of humility was contrasted with the $300,000 Richard Mille RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph perched on Norris’ wrist.

Norris has quickly built a reputation for being a fierce competitor on the track whilst being charming and modest off the track. It’s not the first time the young Englishman’s offered to help out with non-racing duties for McLaren – he was spotted doing a tea run for Spanish F1 great Fernando Alonso at the 2018 United States Grand Prix.

As the name suggests, the RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph was a collaboration between McLaren and Richard Mille, which sponsors the McLaren F1 Team. The highly technical timepiece features a case constructed from carbon and orange silica using Richard Mille’s innovative Thin Ply Technology method for layering carbon fibre. Orange is an iconic McLaren colour, and the watch is chock-full of design features that pay homage to the manufacturer.

Limited to 500 pieces globally and originally only available to McLaren owners, the watch retailed for 191,500 USD in 2018 (272,924 AUD in case you’re wondering) but has skyrocketed in value on the aftermarket, fetching prices well in excess of 300,000 USD / 427,558 AUD.

Despite being worth squillions and being able to enjoy the finer things like $300k timepieces, it hasn’t gone to Norris’ head. Indeed, wrenching on your own vehicle demonstrates a mechanical aptitude and humility that bodes well for the future of the sport.

Well played, Norris.

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The post McLaren F1 Driver Spotted Dismantling His Car Whilst Casually Wearing $300,000 Watch appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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Man Reveals Brutal Reality Of Attempting Mark Wahlberg’s Insane Routine For 24 Hours
Man Reveals Brutal Reality Of Attempting Mark Wahlberg’s Insane Routine For 24 Hours

We all think we would like to live the lives of our favourite celebrities. Having their fame and fortune, the VIP events, the endless supply of free sh*t from companies wanting you to endorse their products. But celebrities are still humans at a base level, and they’re not immune to the effects of eating too much junk food or drinking too much alcohol.Hollywood’s elite need to keep themselves fit too, not only for their health but also to help land those all-important movie roles. Case in point: Mark Wahlberg.The American actor and former rapper (god bless you Marky Mark) is one of Hollywood’s most ripped and is regularly cast in the typical ‘tough-guy’ role. He’s also a big advocate for fitness, so much so that he’s even invested in Australian fitness cult fad F45.But how exactly does he keep himself fit and what happens when us regular humans attempt a similar regime?It’s a question that YouTuber Laurie Shaw wanted to answer. Laurie has previously carried out experiments such as attempting CrossFit for 30 days straight, so is no stranger to fitness. However, as he found out in the 24-hour period his research project lasted for, Mark Wahlberg’s regime is an entirely different kettlebell of fish.We’re sure we’re not wrong when we say us normal folk would consider waking up for the gym at say, 4 or 5am, to be incredibly early. Mark’s routine? He’s already had two meals and fit a workout in by the time you hit snooze for the third time. As Laurie found out, Mark wakes up at 2.30 am so he can pray at 2.45 am and have his first meal of the day at 3.15am, a routine that Laurie sticks to by the minute.It’s also at this point that Laurie appears to take on the persona of a steaming drunk, slurring his words and finding it hard to process his thoughts, but it’s just his body telling him it really doesn’t want to be awake this early.Finally, it’s workout time, although as Laurie notes, Mark has the luxury of having his own personal home gym, so instead, he has to drive to his nearest (and risk falling asleep at the wheel at the same time). Laurie adds that he doesn’t actually know what he should be doing for his first workout, so decides to just follow along to some workouts Mark has previously posted to his Instagram page, which include push-ups, dumbbell shoulder press, using the weighted ropes, and landmine rows. It might not the most beastly of workouts to some, but at 4 am it’s certainly going to put your body through its paces.

With natural light still non-existent, Mark’s routine calls for some golf. We’re not entirely sure how he plays in dimly-lit conditions. Maybe he has superhuman vision to go with that godlike rig of his. Laurie can’t play golf, so he surfs instead. It’s at this point, with his body managing to keep his eyes open on their own, that he starts to appreciate the early start as it’s a time when practically nobody else is awake. Silence is bliss.After some more snacks to fuel his body, Laurie then needs to put his body through a cryotherapy recovery session – a technique and technology we’ve previously seen French footballer Kylian Mbappé use – which for him comes in the form of an ice bath. Following his ice bath, Laurie’s (and Mark’s) day is relatively cruisey until 4 pm when it’s time for workout number two. In his rest time, Mark schedules in family time, catching up on any work-related stuff and he even fits in time to be a dad by picking his kids up from school. It’s safe to say Laurie savours this downtime to recharge his body for the evening ahead.
For his second workout, Laurie focuses on his upper body, carrying out pull-ups, deadlifts, dumbbell rows and bicep curls. He admits he’s starting to feel fatigued. But he has been awake for 15 hours and thrown his usual daily routine all out of whack, so it’s hardly surprising.7.30pm rolls around and it’s finally time for Laurie to sleep. Taking time to reflect on his Mark Wahlberg-tastic day, he questions how attainable, sustainable and effective his day was. He’s of the opinion that Mark’s 24-hour routine is very attainable, it’s just a case of putting mind over matter and forcing yourself to wake up, although he questions how the process of waking up so early will change over the course of a few weeks and months.As for how sustainable it is, Laurie says it will probably come down to your body’s natural energy levels. He’s a relatively energetic person, and even though he definitely experienced waves and bursts of energy and periods when he just wanted to throw in the towel, he was able to physically and mentally get through the routine. His main takeaway from the 24-hour routine was just how much he was able to get done, so if you’re looking to increase your productivity, this could be the routine for you.

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The post Mark Wahlberg Daily Routine: Brutal Reality Of Attempting Mark Wahlberg’s Insane Daily Routine appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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Worrying Twitter Trend Suggests ‘Weekend Warrior’ Stock Traders Are In For A Brutal Wake Up Call
Worrying Twitter Trend Suggests ‘Weekend Warrior’ Stock Traders Are In For A Brutal Wake Up Call

We’ve all been there: heart pounding, blood pumping; an unshakeable urge to play ‘We Are The Champions’ at top volume. But while most experience this sensation after a successful first date, a sports grand final or a promotion, there is a certain group of people who get that feeling looking at the ASX or NASDAQ – especially those who bought Tesla shares before their stratospheric rise at the start of this year (recently culminating in an all-time high closing price of 1546.01 on July the 15th, 2020).

Chuck into the mix the new phenomenon of retail (individual) traders spending their Jobkeeper or Jobseeker payments on the burgeoning scene of investing and trading apps and those who haven’t lost their jobs using their extra disposable income to take a punt on their mates’ (and Bar Stool Sports founder Dave Portnoy’s) stock tips while sports betting is out of action (or at least substantially reduced), and you have a recipe for disaster.

Except, so far, the stock market has fared better than the ~real~ economy. Surprisingly well, actually. US markets have spectacularly rallied since the initial COVID lockdown (market) scare and the ASX has followed. In fact, as we mentioned, certain stocks, like Tesla, have hit all-time highs.

Portnoy and his followers have been part of one of the greatest rallies in history, adopting as a mantra the slogan “stocks only go up!” In doing so they have, intentionally or not, created confusion as to what degree retail interest has become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Bloomberg reports that Millennials and Gen Zs, generations that have long been under-invested in the stock market, are now getting in on the action, inspired by figures like Portnoy: “Stuck at home with plenty of free time, government stimulus checks, no sports to bet on and, for better or worse, a figure like Portnoy [who live-streams his wins and losses] turning investing into entertainment, more and more young people are wading in for the first time.”

“It’s really been a perfect storm,” said Nate Geraci, president of investment-advisory firm the ETF Store told Bloomberg. “Investors are seeing firsthand the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, and he’s doing it with large sums of money, so I think for younger investors, that’s really enticing.”

“With tens and sometimes hundreds of thousands of people watching, there’s some concern that people will take Portnoy’s advice to heart. But Portnoy said he’s made it clear to his viewers not to invest money they can’t afford to lose.”

“I’m not babysitting our readers,” Portnoy told Bloomberg. “People got to be responsible.”

Portnoy’s plugs appear to have had some effect. As Bloomberg reports, on Wednesday the 10th of June, “Portnoy mentioned penny-stock InspireMD, a company that makes products for vascular procedures.”

Though Inspire MD had already seen elevated volume since June 2, when the firm announced it would offer an additional 22 million shares, volume still “surged to an all-time high of 52 million shares after Portnoy’s exhortations,” Bloomberg reports.

Mathew Cassidy, ranked #8 on The Australian / Barrons Australia’s top 100 Adviser list for 2020 (and Managing Director at Partners Wealth Group, one of Australia’s leading business and financial advisory companies), told DMARGE that – though these retail buyers will have a small impact (and risk playing with fire themselves) – their behaviour is unlikely to affect the market long term.

“The market is sustained by really substantial flows. If you’ve got people at home having a punt, generally they’re not really substantial amounts of capital. What really swings the market is [when] people start to take out really large amounts of capital into the market.”

“Through history and events like the GFC, September 11, when stocks start getting expensive; when you start getting tips from the taxi driver because a lot of momentum is going on, it’s probably a good time to start selling them.”

The latest trend of retail traders boasting about their Tesla stocks on Twitter, without much apparent knowledge, would suggest a rude shock is imminent for a lot of people.

DMARGE spoke to AMP Financial Advisor, Andrew Heaven, to understand the most common mistakes rookie traders make. Unfortunately, many retail traders on Twitter appear to be winging it, and committing some of the very sins he told us about.

“There are plenty of mistakes that rookie investors make when entering the market,” Mr Heaven told DMARGE. The first is lack of research: “Making sure you do plenty of research on what types of investments are right for you is crucial. There are countless tools online with information on how to best enter the market, what to invest in and how to ensure you’re investing in something that aligns with your values and also financial goals.”

This means not just trusting a random tweet from ‘a guy that knows a guy’ (or internet shills with an agenda). Only take advice from experts you know and trust.

The second crucial error is not having a plan. As Mr Heaven told DMARGE: “Regardless of whether you’re investing for the medium or long term, you need to be ready to commit to that timeframe. If you invest more than you can afford, you’re not being realistic about your goals and your cash will be tied up – meaning you’ll find yourself short when budgeting for your day-to-day life.”

“Know what you’re trying to achieve.”

“By taking the time to align your investment strategy with your goals, it will be a lot easier to stay on track. If you know what you’re trying to achieve and why, you’ll be less likely to wander off in a different direction or get distracted by short-term changes and volatility.”

Mr Heaven said another common mistake is waiting until you ‘have the money’ to invest: “It’s often thought that for investing, in general or for specific assets, you have to have a large chunk of money but everyone needs to start somewhere. Rather it’s important to note that a lot of people make their money by investing smaller amounts.”

“In 2020, it’s now easier than ever to enter the stock market without a lot of capital. Young people and those looking to get into the market don’t need to have huge piles of cash, and can look to get started by making use of a fractional investment platform, which can get you started for as little as $5.”

Finally, Mr Heaven told us ‘following the crowd’ is another mistake rookies tend to make. Of course, as we reported on Sunday, you have to invest on what’s there not what theoretically should be, but that’s not to say you should blindly follow – lest you be the one standing up when the music stops.

“Next time you hear a friend or family member talking about their next ‘big investment’ take a moment to remember that everyone is in a different financial position and on a different investment journey. While the investment opportunity might sound fun and exciting, and your friend may sound very convincing and educated, take a moment to remember your financial goals and individual situation before jumping in.”

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The post Twitter Trend Suggests 'Weekend Warrior' Stock Traders Are In For A Brutal Wake Up Call appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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Seven Golden Rules For Scoring A Flight Upgrade, According To A Points Guru
Seven Golden Rules For Scoring A Flight Upgrade, According To A Points Guru

It’s no joke when they say there’s a fine art to scoring a flight upgrade. Times have certainly changed and it has to be noted that upgrades on flights are about as common as kangaroos punching on – most of the time you won’t see them, but every once in a while when the stars align…

We spoke to Alex Callaghan of LuxeFlyer, the luxury travels booking site, to find out how to best court your chances of scoring a free upgrade.

But First Thing’s First…

Generally, speaking upgrades are a bit of thing of the past and they’re especially difficult to score on international flights. “That’s not to say they don’t still happen,” explains Callaghan. “I know in the North American domestic market they still happen to regularly add some empty business class seats which are bid on before boarding with some carriers.”

Taking into account that, here are some other ways you could boost your chances of an upgrade.

Make Sure You’re A Frequent Flyer

Being a frequent flyer to an airline means you’re in prime position for negotiating an upgrade should there ever be one. Airlines will often offer points to loyal flyers and it’s certain that any upgrade will almost always go towards their frequent flyers.

Callaghan agrees, saying that passengers should rely on their points to score upgrades. “Most carriers let you use points to upgrade paid tickets on their own flights and a lot will also let you redeem for upgrades on their partner airlines too”.

Dress As You Belong There

It’s long been a belief that dressing like you’re a celeb will increase your chances of getting an upgrade. We’re going to have to burst your bubble here and say that this isn’t entirely true. It’s less about expecting an upgrade and more about looking suited for an upgrade.

In other words, if airline staff need to upgrade a passenger for some unforeseen reason, then it’s likely they’ll choose someone who looks like they belong there. So ditch the thongs and Hawaiian shirt if you’re keen on being a candidate.

Keep An Eye On Your Inbox

Often the most overlooked way to get an upgrade is sitting in your e-mail junk folder. Check there for any promotions that might have gone unanswered. It’s better than begging at the counter.

Manners Maketh The Upgrade

One of the necessities of upping your upgrade potential is turning up the charm (and we don’t mean sleaze) dial. Be nice to check-in staff, have a laugh with them and don’t demand. Only then should you politely ask if any upgrades are available.

Be The Lone Ranger

There are a few downsides to solo travel but scoring an upgrade isn’t one of them. Statistically speaking, those who travel alone are often the ones who will be offered an upgrade. No offence to children or mothers, but it’s highly unlikely that cabin crew will take a chance with a crying kid with a tantrum in business class.

Choose The Right Time To Fly

It shouldn’t be rocket science, but Callaghan says that your chances of an upgrade a far better on busy routes. Flying at the right time is also important. “Check in early and ask if the flight is full. If it is, ask the question”.

Sell Yourself

This might make some people uncomfortable but it really comes down to how bad you want that upgrade. “If you’ve been messed around by the carrier, let them know and ask for a big seat. Be nice but firm”. In other words, let staff know but don’t be an attention-seeking dick out to cause a scene. Additionally, Callaghan says that if you have a title like Dr., Professor or QC, use it.

The post Seven Golden Rules For Scoring A Flight Upgrade, According To A Points Guru appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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BMW’s Mightiest Wagon Is Not Coming To Australia & It’s All Your Fault
BMW’s Mightiest Wagon Is Not Coming To Australia & It’s All Your Fault

What would you give for a mighty station wagon? If you’re Australian, probably not much – they tend to go a bit unloved down here.

Unfortunately, that means New Zealand is prioritised over us when it comes to some of the coolest car releases.

Enter: BMW’s M340i xDrive Touring – a bloody fast estate car; maybe the most exciting car that BMW’s made in the last decade, and it sadly won’t be sold in Australia any time soon.

BMW have started testing the M340i xDrive Touring in New Zealand ahead of a wider Kiwi release.

Hang on, New Zealand is a market the fifth the size of Australia – what gives, BMW?

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This is what performance and comfort looks like when joined in a @bmwnz #m340xdrive touring

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It appears Wagons really take a back seat (so to speak) in Australia and this is the perfect example of that: the 3 Series is one of the most iconic and dynamic model lines in automotive history, encompassing legends like the E30 and E46 all the way to today’s G20, and yet the latest and greatest reincarnation of the 3 series – The M340i xDrive Touring – isn’t being offered here.

Let’s break it down: M340i refers to the engine, the B58M30 3.0L inline-six. Other G20 models only get a four-cylinder, so this is the biggest engine available for this model. It’s also turbocharged, and puts out a healthy 285kW (382hp). xDrive is BMW’s all-wheel drive system. So far, so normal.

The kicker is the Touring moniker: this means it’s an estate as opposed to a small sedan. And that makes all the difference for the Australian market.

The reality is that estate cars, shooting brakes and station wagons just don’t sell in Australia like they used to, or like they still do in other parts of the world. We’ve got too much of an appetite for SUVs, and so BMW doesn’t see the business case for bringing their most exciting car down under.

It’s a shame because estate cars offer the perfect combination of performance and practicality. An SUV might beat a wagon for ride height and comfort but it will never beat them for driving dynamics – even monsters like the Lamborghini Urus cannot beat an estate car like the M340i xDrive Touring for sheer automotive pleasure.

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We’ve grown too Americanised, in both preference, intellect and physique. You want to know a sad truth about why SUVs, crossovers and hatchbacks are so popular both here and in the United States? Because they’re easier to get in and out of than a sedan or coupe. That’s right: maybe we’ve just grown too portly…

The Americans would at least would complain about it, but we’re not even up to that. This is why we can’t have nice things. Europeans and Kiwis have no qualms about stepping into an estate, however, and therefore get access to beauties like this 3 Series. It’s a poor reflection on Australian automotive tastes that even tiny New Zealand is a more profitable market for these kinds of cars than Australia.

Australians need to be more adventurous. Stop ordering boring car colours, stop buying boring cars and start exercising, so that the car companies bring the cool stuff over here.

If you want in on the big boot action, all hope is not lost, however. Check out this rare Audi RS4 Avant estate selling in Melbourne.

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The post BMW M340i Wagon Is Not Coming To Australia appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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Jaeger-LeCoultre & MR PORTER Unveil The Perfect Gentleman’s Timepiece
Jaeger-LeCoultre & MR PORTER Unveil The Perfect Gentleman’s Timepiece

Brand synergy, when done right, can be a winning exercise. The fashion world has known this for decades, with every section of the market – from sneaker brands to grand couturiers – reaching out to collaborate with different brands, artists and celebrities. Adidas’ collaboration with Kanye West for example has netted them millions in profit, and Louis Vuitton continues to innovate with collections such as their capsule with Virgil Abloh and Nigo.

Watch brands are no strangers to the odd collaboration, too. The 2003 Snoopy Speedmaster has fast become one of the most desirable Omegas in recent memory, and IWC’s new Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph Edition “Orlebar Brown” demonstrates that the appetite for brand partnership in the watch world is as strong as ever.

Jaeger-LeCoultre, one of the world’s most respected watch manufacturers, has upped the ante, having announced a three-way partnership with online luxury retailer MR PORTER and upcoming spy film The King’s Man – The Master Ultra Thin Kingsman Knife Watch.

This stunning ultra-thin model is not only a beautiful timepiece in its own right, but an exceptionally creative collaboration that underscores the aesthetic strengths of each brand.

JLC has drawn upon its great history of making trend-setting, technologically superlative ultra thin calibres to develop a new timepiece directly inspired by their celebrated 1907 ‘Couteau’ pocket watch. This is reflected in the Master Ultra Thin Knife’s most visually unique feature, its top-mounted crown. Its classic, highly-legible dial is supplemented with a pop of colour from its subtle blue feuille hands.

In a tribute to the film’s narrative, the case-back of the watch has been engraved with the Kingsman logo, as well as the legend, and is presented in a specially designed Kingsman sleeve box. In an eloquent expression of the Kingsman maxim and iconic series quote “Manner Maketh Man”, the Master Ultra Thin Knife is the perfect gentleman’s timepiece; not only functional but supremely elegant.

The King’s Man, the third film in the popular Kingsman franchise, is a prequel set during the turn of the twentieth century starring Ralph Fiennes. Ahead of its September release, British men’s retailer MR PORTER has created a special collection inspired by Ms Arianne Phillips’ costume design for the Kingsman films, with JLC’s Master Ultra Thin Knife as its crowning glory.

Only 100 units of the limited edition Master Ultra Thin Knife will be produced and will be available exclusively on MR PORTER as a key part of The King’s Man co-created ‘costume to collection’ range.

The collection features Kingsman original pieces modelled off outfits worn by the franchise’s characters as well as collaborations with other brands including Turnbull & Asser, George Cleverley, Deakin & Francis, Drake’s and more. Focusing on high-quality materials and formal classics, the Kingsman collection is eye-wateringly British (highly appropriate) and has us incredibly excited for the next film to hit cinemas.

The Master Ultra Thin Knife is due to be released on July 20th, but you can be assured it won’t stick around for long.

Good luck, agent.

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The post Kingsman Watch: Jaeger-LeCoultre & MR PORTER Unveil The Perfect Gentleman’s Timepiece appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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